Don't miss any news or updates from CBIC!Click here to help us update your record in our database.

It takes commitment
to become
Certified in Infection Control.
Show your status with pride. Click here to order your CIC Pin.

CBIC President's Message

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season. I am delighted and honored to be writing to you as your 2012 President and I’d like to thank Terrie Lee, RN, MS, MPH, CIC and the rest of the Board of Directors for their outstanding work in 2011. I look forward to carrying out several initiatives that were developed as part of our strategic planning process this past summer. In addition, I’d like to congratulate Terrie on being elected to the International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) Board of Trustees for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2012. We know Terrie will do a terrific job of representing CBIC on the international stage!

CBIC has kicked off 2012 with a few new initiatives already in place and several others in the works. On January 1, we launched our real-time examination application system for the CBT and the SARE. Our exams are still administered by Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP), but the entire application process is now handled by CBIC. We are also in the process of implementing real-time ordering for our CIC merchandise.

In addition to the new examination application process, other updates and accomplishments include revised examination eligibility requirements, an updated Practice Exam which will launch on January 18, a completely re-vamped Candidate Handbook, renewed accreditation of CBIC’s CIC program for a five year period through November 30, 2016 by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, and a new Strategic Plan.

In developing CBIC’s strategic plan in 2011, the Board identified six goal areas on which we will focus our efforts over the next three years. Those goal areas include: Certification, Re-certification, Testing, and Research; Partner and Regulatory Relationships; Marketing, Communications, and Publications; Recruitment, Retention, and Community; and Governance and Management. Please watch for updates on activities related to the Strategic Plan in the Certification Corner and on the website.

Finally, I would like to thank Fran M. Feltovich, MBA, RN, CIC, CPHQ, Marie Kassai, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC, and Glenda L. Schuh, RN, BSN, CIC for six years of service on the CBIC Board of Directors. It was a privilege working with them over the years. I would also like to welcome our three new Board members: Lillian A. Burns, MT, MPH, CIC, Constance J. Cutler, RN, MS, CIC, FSHEA, and Christine C. Zirges, RN, ACNS-BS, CIC. I’m looking forward to working with these talented new Board members.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the APIC and CHICA-Canada Annual Conferences this year! Let’s make 2012 a good one!

Barbara S. Russell, RN, BSHA, MPH, CIC
2012 CBIC President

2012 Call for E-News Articles

If you have a story you would like to share regarding an experience about how you, or someone you know, have put CIC credential to use, we would love to hear it. We are also interested in hearing about what is going on in your organization or local APIC or CHICA-Canada Chapter regarding infection control practice. Please email info@cbic.org with your ideas.

Meet the CBIC Board of Directors - Bonnie Norrick

Bonnie is currently in her 2nd year as a CBIC Director.

Bonnie Norrick, MT(ASCP)CM M.Ed., CIC, is the Infection Prevention and Control Manager at West Georgia Health in LaGrange, Georgia. Bonnie came to infection prevention in 2007 and went on to become Board Certified in 2009. Bonnie is a lifelong learner having received degrees in Education and Clinical Laboratory Sciences from the University of Illinois and a Certificate in Clinical Systems Management from the University of New Jersey.

Throughout her career, Bonnie has served the State of Georgia as President and District Director for the Georgia Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, and editor of the State Society publication, Pipette Line.

In 2002, Bonnie was recognized as the Member of the Year for the Georgia Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and is a two time recipient of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Gloria Gilbert State Award for outstanding leadership in healthcare at the state and national level. Bonnie has also been recognized by the ASCLS Board of Directors for her outstanding work with the Georgia Legislature on clinical laboratory facility law and effect on patient safety.

We asked Bonnie the following questions:

How did you become involved in infection prevention and control?
As a medical technologist in microbiology, I worked closely with the infection control nurse and anticipated the questions she would ask every day. The microbiologist at my current employer suggested I apply for the open Infection prevention and control manager position. The chief nursing officer (CNO) was hesitant at first but after doing some research, found that medical technologists can be just as successful in the role as nurses. In April 2012, it will be 5 years since I have been in this role and I do not regret the move.

What motivated you to become certified?
As the CNO and I discussed the needs of the department and what my goals should be, getting certified was on the list. She expected it and I agreed. Any accrediting or certifying body is looking at the credentials of those in charge. My plan was to be certified in the spring of 2009 but along came H1N1, so I settled for November.

What has being certified meant to you professionally?
Having CIC after my name says I have been tested by my peers and have proven "I know my stuff." The initials say I have a passion for my work and the quality of care my patients, and my community receives.

What do you bring to the CBIC Board?
Enthusiasm and diversity. I am ready to contribute whatever I can for the cause of certification. I have an affinity for detail, control, and organization, but enjoy working in a team environment.

In 2009, the CBIC Board of Directors in an attempt to better represent Infection Preventionists, identified that one director should have four or less years in infection prevention and control at the time of appointment. We feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Bonnie on the CBIC Board.

Certification in Three Easy Steps

We are excited to announce that you are now able to register online for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) as well as the Self-Achievement Recertification Exam (SARE) directly on our website. (Paper applications are available for download if you are unable to register online.)

Find out your score immediately after hitting the submit button (U.S. candidates only). If you pass, you will be able to use the CIC credential after your name immediately and will receive your certificate in 4-6 weeks.

Updated FAQ’s

Re-Certification Reminder

To maintain certification, the Infection Preventionist must recertify within five calendar years of passing the examination. All currently certified Infection Preventionists are eligible for recertification. If you have not already taken the following steps, please review the following options for recertification:

Take and pass the proctored computer-based (CBT) examination
The proctored Computer-Based Test (CBT) can be taken at over 150 Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) Assessment Centers Monday through Friday at either 9:00 am or 1:30 pm.

The online application can be found on the CBIC (www.cbic.org) website here.

You can also download the paper application as well as the candidate handbook at www.cbic.org for all the information on administrative policies.

International certificants can also recertify via the computerized examination. For a list of domestic and international assessment center locations, please visit the AMP website at www.goAMP.com.

If you wish to recertify via CBT, you must have your examination appointment scheduled on or before December 30, 2012 (assessment centers are closed on December 31st).

Take and pass the Self-Achievement Recertification Examination (SARE)
The SARE is offered online in web-based format. You can schedule testing on your own home computer and on your own schedule. The test can be ordered at any time between now and December 1, 2012. A passing score must be achieved, and your SARE must be completed by December 31, 2012. You must have an email address to receive the confirmation e-mail with specific instructions on how to logon to the SARE. The e-mail will include a unique ID and password that must be used during the login process. Certificants are able to login and out as many times as necessary, within the established testing window, to complete the examination; responses/answers during the previous logins will be saved. Candidate results are provided following completion of the test and will also be sent to the candidate's e-mail address.

Certified professionals who do not recertify before their current certification period expires will lose their CIC designation as of December 31 of the last year of the current certification period, and are prohibited from using the CIC designation. They must reapply for the CBT and successfully pass the CBT before they can use the CIC designation again. If you need further information regarding the CBIC Examination process, please visit the CBIC® website at www.cbic.org and download the current CBIC Candidate Handbook.

Thank you for reading CBIC's January 2012 E-Newsletter.
To send suggestions for future articles or feedback on this issue,
please write to info@cbic.org.

You have received this message because you are a member of the Certification Board of Infection Control & Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) or have had previous contact with CBIC. If you do not wish to be included in our e-mail list, please forward this message to info@cbic.org.